Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Paul

Spurs teammates Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul disqualified from NBA All-Star Game skills challenge

San Antonio Spurs stars Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul were disqualified from Saturday night’s All-Star Game festivities after they found a loophole in the skills competition.

The pair were in the field for the competition in which players go through a series of challenges, including bounce passing, chest passing, shots from three different locations on the floor and dribbling.

As they came to the shooting part, Wembanyama and Paul just threw the ball toward the rim in a time-saving tactic.

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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and guard Chris Paul compete during the skills challenge at the All-Star festivities Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

It didn’t fly.

They were disqualified because the shot attempts were determined to be invalid. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 Frenchman who is in his second year in the NBA, said he came up with the idea.

“I don’t regret it. I think it was a good idea,” he said.

Wembanyama and Paul completed the course in 47.9 seconds, the best among the competitors.

MAC MCCLUNG, WHO HAS PLAYED IN 1 NBA GAME THIS SEASON, WINS 3RD STRAIGHT DUNK CONTEST

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul competes during All-Star Saturday night festivities, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green said afterward that Wembanyama was asking others if his plan made sense. Green competed with teammate Moses Moody.

“It definitely sucked to see them throwing the ball like that,” Green said. “But what I will say is, Wemby walked around the court asking everybody, ‘Make one or three attempts?’ And Wemby said, ‘Oh, so I can get all three of them up there?’ So, he asked. Now, he may not have asked the right people. But I will say, in Wemby’s defense, he did ask a lot of people.”

Cleveland Cavaliers stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley won the event.

Mobley said he had an idea similar to that of Wembanyama’s time-saving plan. But it was the Spurs teammates who became the talk of the competition.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama competes during the All-Star skills challenge, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

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“We tried something that we thought could win,” Paul said. “To see if we had the best time, so… it was fun.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
Jake Paul says boxing champ Canelo Álvarez ‘ducked’ him after ‘deep negotiations’ for fight

Boxing fans have been clamoring for Jake Paul to get tougher competition in the ring, and, apparently, he was trying.

But after Paul and his team were “deep in negotiations” with current WBO, WBA and WBC super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez, the reigning champ “ducked” Paul.

Álvarez’s former promoter, Eddie Hearn, even said the two reached a deal to fight, but now the bout is off.

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Jake Paul speaks during a Fanatics Fest press conference at Javits Center Aug. 18, 2024, in New York City. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Álvarez has instead signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season to fight in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement released Friday, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions said the fight would have taken place in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend, “a massive event for the Mexican, Puerto Rican and American fans.”

“It’s disappointing to see how the situation unfolded. MVP operates with integrity, transparency and respect for the sport, its athletes and the fans. Unfortunately, not everyone in the boxing world shares those values,” MVP’s statement said.

Paul then took to social media to discuss his side.

“Breaking news: Canelo Alvarez ducked me, Jake Paul, and is now an owned slave with no regard for the pride of the Mexican people who support him on US soil,” Paul wrote. “it’s not surprising when his whole career he has done nothing for the sport of boxing outside the ring.

Jake Paul reacts after knocking out Andre August in the first round at Caribe Royale Orlando. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports)

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“I’m the new face of boxing. You cannot have the biggest fight of 2025 without my name involved. When all of your events tank and lose money you will all realize who the king of the sport is. 28 years old. Biggest fight in boxing history. My own boss. Not owned. 5 years in. All of you felines want to see me fail, but God has other plans. It’s the era of good. The era of the elephant. It’s the era of MVP.”

Paul teased a July event in New York earlier this week.

Álvarez will still fight that weekend, with an opponent to be determined. He’s also scheduled for a Sept. 13 title bout against Terence Crawford.

Jake Paul gestures to the crowd during weigh-ins for his fight against Nate Diaz at American Airlines Center Aug. 4, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

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Paul is 11-1 in his career after defeating Mike Tyson, who fell to 50-7, in November.

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February 8, 2025
Rand Paul recoils at Trump’s Gaza takeover plans: ‘I thought we voted for America First’

After President Donald Trump announced that America “will take over the Gaza strip,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., pushed back against the idea, suggesting that the move would betray the “America First” principle Trump voters expected.

During his inauguration speech last month, Trump unequivocally declared that throughout his administration he will “put America first,” echoing a longstanding pillar of his political philosophy, which he also expressed during his 2017 inaugural address.

But Paul is throwing a red flag in response to Trump’s newly unveiled Gaza plans.

“The pursuit for peace should be that of the Israelis and the Palestinians. I thought we voted for America First. We have no business contemplating yet another occupation to doom our treasure and spill our soldiers blood,” Paul declared in a Wednesday post on X.

The senator made the comment in response to a post in which Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on Tuesday, “Gaza MUST BE FREE from Hamas. As @POTUS shared today, the United States stands ready to lead and Make Gaza Beautiful Again. Our pursuit is one of lasting peace in the region for all people.”

‘LEVEL IT’: TRUMP SAYS US WILL ‘TAKE OVER’ GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABILIZE MIDDLE EAST

Trump has indicated that the U.S. will “take over” the embattled region. (Left: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Right: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

While delivering remarks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhyahu on Tuesday, Trump said that Palestinians should be settled outside the Gaza Strip, and that the U.S. will transform the region, which he described as a “demolition site.”

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip,” Trump declared, saying, “we’ll own it, and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site … level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area.”

“I do see a long term ownership position,” Trump said of the region.

THE HISTORY OF GAZA AMID TRUMP’S PLAN TO REBUILD ENCLAVE

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., called Trump’s proposal “ethnic cleansing.”

“This president is openly calling for ethnic cleansing while sitting next to a genocidal war criminal. He’s perfectly fine cutting off working Americans from federal funds while the funding to the Israeli government continues flowing,” she declared in a post on X.

In a post on another X account she declared, “Palestinians aren’t going anywhere. This president can only spew this fanatical bulls— because of bipartisan support in Congress for funding genocide and ethnic cleansing. It’s time for my two-state solution colleagues to speak up.”

TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST ENVOY EXPLAINS GAZA TAKEOVER PROPOSAL: ‘MORE HOPE’ FOR PALESTINIANS’ FUTURES

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Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., welcomed the president’s remarks.

“This is what the leader of the free world looks like, folks. President Trump campaigned on securing peace in Gaza, and he’s doing just that. Promises made, promises kept — it’ll never get old,” she said in a tweet.

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

February 5, 2025
Jake Paul offers Saquon Barkley one of his Ferraris if he wins Super Bowl MVP

Super Bowl Sunday has the potential to be extra special for Saquon Barkley.

For one, he’ll be playing for the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. It will also be his 28th birthday.

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However, aside from the coveted trophy, he has a chance to win another grand prize next week: one of Jake Paul’s Ferraris.

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Jake Paul has offered Saquon Barkley a Ferrari if he wins Super Bowl MVP. (Getty Images)

Paul gave his word in a social media post last week.

“This is a message for Saquon Barkley and Saquon Barkley only. If you win the Super Bowl MVP, I think you can do it brother … I will give you one of my Ferraris,” Paul said in the video.

In a video where Oz The Mentalist visited the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley was spotted wearing a shirt from Paul’s men’s personal care brand, W.

Barkley has dominated all season, much to New York Giants fans’ chagrin. After the team opted to move off him, he became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Had he not rested in Week 18, he very well could have broken Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half of the NFC Championship at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

In 19 games played this season, including the postseason, Barkley has rushed for 2,447 yards and 18 touchdowns, five of which have come in his last two games.

Seven running backs have won the Super Bowl MVP, but it’s been almost 30 years since the last one: Terrell Davis in 1997.

Barkley is 30 yards away breaking Davis’ record for the most rushing yards in a season including playoff games.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs with the ball for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)

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The superstar running back joined the Eagles on a three-year deal this past offseason, and it’s proving to be perhaps their best move in recent memory. Out of his 19 games played, he’s rushed for 100-plus 12 times and has eclipsed the 200-yard mark twice.

Including the playoffs, Barkley is averaging 128.8 rushing yards per game. So, it’s certainly not out of the question that he could break the running back drought.

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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He’ll just have to do it against the back-to-back reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.

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February 3, 2025
WWE is ‘driving pop culture,’ pro wrestling legend Paul Heyman says

WWE had a stranglehold on the pro wrestling world for more than 12 months, as Paul “Triple” Levesque, the company’s chief content officer, introduced a new era into the company.

Cody Rhodes finished his story and opened up a new path as Undisputed WWE champion; Roman Reigns lost his title and had to deal with an insurgency in his Bloodline; Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan began a monthslong feud that saw the Women’s World Championship change hands a few times; Tiffany Stratton injected a youth movement into the women’s division with her Money in the Bank win and subsequent cash-in all the while the company welcomed a whole host of new faces to the main and development rosters.

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Tiffany Stratton became the WWE Women’s Champion on “Friday Night SmackDown” on Jan. 3, 2025 after she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract. (Dylan Azari / Special to the Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Those were just the achievements in the ring. WWE debuted on Netflix and partnered with multiple brands, including Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer, NBA, NHL and Cosm, as well as a multi-year partnership with TNA Wrestling to showcase talent on each other’s brands.

It is only scratching the surface as WWE begins WrestleMania season – akin to the Super Bowl – over the next few days. It will begin with the Royal Rumble on Saturday to determine the next superstars who will get shots at the men’s and women’s championships respectively.

WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman acknowledged the hot streak the company has been on as of late, suggesting to Variety it has transcended pop culture.

“We’re no longer a boutique industry,” he told the outlet. “We’re not on the fringe. We’re driving pop culture now, and with the fact that Roman Reigns is the undisputed top box office attraction, the number one star in the entire industry, and his Wiseman, are driving these cultural phenomenon, I would suggest the youth of this world is in very good hands right now.”

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Roman Reigns, left, celebrates with special counsel Paul Heyman after defeating Brock Lesnar and unifying the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on April 3, 2022. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

To underscore that point, WWE has seen celebrities from all corners flock to WWE events.

Matthew McConaughey, Kai Cenat, Gabriel Iglesias, Danielle Fishel, Vanessa Hudgens, Quavo and others have been seen in the stands. Not to mention, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson appeared at WrestleMania 40, and NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton mocked their on-court rivalry in the ring after the playoffs last year.

Hudgens explained to Fox News Digital her fandom goes above and beyond. She never misses a “Monday Night Raw” and plans to watch on Netflix every week.

Saturday kicks off the road to WrestleMania with the Royal Rumble, which is followed by the Elimination Chamber in March. Fans should have a decent idea about what the WrestleMania 41 main events will look like by spring.

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WWE Royal Rumble wrestling signage goes up to promote the upcoming event on Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

WrestleMania 41 will take place in Las Vegas on April 19 and 20.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 29, 2025
Jake and Logan Paul announce ‘the moment you’ve waited a decade for,’ but leave questions

Logan and Jake Paul will be streamed on HBO Max in two months — but it’s up for debate on what will actually be shown.

It appears the brothers teased a fight between the two of them that will take place on March 27, but such an announcement has yet to come.

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The brothers each posted a graphic that shows the two of them facing off. They both posted on X, “The moment you’ve waited a decade for… March 27th on @StreamHBOMax.”

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Jake Paul accompanied by his brother Logan, right, before his heavyweight bout with Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

However, there has been no official announcement on a fight from Jake’s boxing promotion, Most Valuable Promotions. In fact, in a joint Instagram post, MVP was left off as a collaborator, while the brothers and HBO Max were in on the joint post.

It should be noted that Jake’s men’s care line, W, posted a poll on its Instagram story, asking fans, “Who do you think is winning?” However, one of the answers, in typical Paul-trolling fashion, was “Mike Tyson.”

Fox News Digital reached out to MVP for clarification, but did not receive a response.

Logan, the older of the two, said over the summer that he had reached out to Netflix after Mike Tyson was hospitalized, saying he would be willing to fight his brother in order to keep the Paul-Tyson bout on its original date of July 20.

“We actually ran it up the chain at Netflix,” Logan said on his podcast while then-Republican nominee Donald Trump was his guest.

Jake wound up fighting on that date anyway, but against Mike Perry — the Tyson bout was postponed until Nov. 15, with Jake winning both bouts.

Jake Paul is congratulated by Logan Paul after knocking out Andre August in the first round at the Caribe Royale Orlando. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)

The March 27 date does seem like an odd one to have a fight, considering that would be a Thursday. That date also marks MLB’s Opening Day, while it would be just three weeks out of WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, where Logan, a WWE superstar, is very likely to be a part of.

Logan said on the aforementioned podcast that he and his brother have “never even sparred.” However, the two found each other in a highly-publicized tiff with one another in 2023, stemming from each of their energy drink brands.

Logan said on an August 2023 episode of his podcast that he had been threatened to be ejected from Jake’s fight against Nate Diaz at American Airlines Arena in Dallas earlier that month if he brought a PRIME bottle inside the venue. CELSIUS was the main sponsor for the fight.

The two shared harsh words for one another, but that led to a fanfare conspiracy theory that the two were simply just marketing a Paul vs. Paul boxing match.

Jake Paul (R) talks to his brother Logan Paul after his official weigh in at Desert Diamond Arena on October 28, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

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Jake denied that to Fox News Digital roughly a month later, saying the beef was all real, but they managed to squash it all “in private.”

“Sometimes, brothers get into little bickering matches, and that’s just the name of the game. I think family goes through the bumps — there’s just 100 million people watching,” Jake quipped at the time.

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January 28, 2025
Rand Paul opposes President Trump’s Labor secretary pick Lori Chavez-DeRemer

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has indicated that he will not support confirmation of President Donald Trump’s Labor secretary nominee, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

The senator said he thinks that Chavez-DeRemer will “lose 15 Republicans,’ but “get 25 Democrats.”

“She might get all the Democrats. Who knows?” he added.

TRUMP NOMINATES REP. LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER AS SECRETARY OF LABOR

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, during a confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In a statement announcing Chavez-DeRemer as his pick for the Cabinet post last year, Trump declared, “Lori has worked tirelessly with both Business and Labor to build America’s workforce, and support the hardworking men and women of America.”

AFT union President Randi Weingarten said in a tweet last year that Chavez-DeRemer’s “record suggests real support of workers & their right to unionize,” adding, “I hope it means the Trump admin will actually respect collective bargaining and workers’ voices from Teamsters to teachers.”

DRAG SHOWS, ARABIC SESAME STREET, LONELY RATS: GOP SENATOR DETAILS HOW BIDEN SPENT $1T ON ‘GOVERNMENT WASTE’

Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican who lost her congressional re-election bid in 2024, served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives from early 2023 through early 2025.

Paul objected to the former lawmaker’s support for the PRO Act, which he claimed would “pre-empt state law” regarding “right to work.”

TRUMP CABINET NOMINEES, APPOINTEES TARGETED WITH ‘VIOLENT, UNAMERICAN THREATS’

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., participates in the House Transportation Committee hearing on “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request” in the Rayburn House Office Building on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House about Paul’s opposition to Chavez-DeRemer, but did not receive a comment in time for publication.

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

January 28, 2025
Pirates ‘bummed’ after young collector, who scored one-of-a-kind Paul Skenes card, declines team’s offer

Earlier this week, a young collector pulled the coveted autographed MLB debut patch card of Paul Skenes from the market.

An 11-year-old collector from Southern California, who nabbed a one-of-kind baseball card featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher, decided to turn down a trade offer from the MLB franchise.

The card was featured in the 2024 Topps Chrome Update set. On Friday, the trading card and collectible manufacturer confirmed the collector had “chosen to send the card to auction with @FanaticsCollect instead,” Topps wrote in an Instagram post.

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Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field May 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

The Pirates offered a package of perks in exchange for the card. A pair of premium Pirates season tickets for three decades, an opportunity to play a softball game on the field, a meet and greet with Skenes and autographed jerseys were among offerings from the team.

LIVVY DUNNE EXPLAINS AWKWARD MOMENT WITH PAUL SKENES AFTER HE WON NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, who is dating Skenes, also offered an incentive to the owner of the card.

Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne on the set of ESPN “College GameDay” at the LSU Quad Nov. 9, 2024, in Baton Rouge. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

“Let’s raise the stakes…the person who finds this card can sit with me at a Pirates game in my suite,” Dunne wrote in a post to her Instagram story.

While the collector wrote in a journal entry shared by Topps that nabbing the card was a “dream come true,” apparently that dream did not include spending time over the next 30 years attending games at PNC Park.

The Pirates admitted they were “bummed” after learning of the collector’s decision but offered to have the fan at a game sometime during the 2025 season.

A view of PNC Park as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies June 21, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)

“Well…we’re bummed that we won’t be seeing you behind home plate for 30 seasons. But we’d still love to bring you to Pittsburgh for a special day at PNC Park this season,” the team posted on X.

Fanatics Collect, which will handle the auctioning of the card in March, said it will donate its proceeds from the sale to fire relief funds in the Los Angeles area.

Skenes delivered a season to remember in 2024, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Before winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award, he was named to the MLB All-Star team. Skenes was the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and made his big league debut in May 2024.

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Rookies have worn MLB debut patches on their jerseys since 2023. Topps acquired the patches and created the unique cards. The card could hold pretty high value considering the potentially bright future ahead for the 22-year-old, who finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Skenes said over the weekend he hasn’t thought about the potential of signing a long-term contract to remain with the Pirates, saying instead his focus is on helping the Pirates take a step toward contending in 2025. He is eligible for free agency after the 2029 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 25, 2025